Artificial snow-machine machine



March 29, 1966 c. DE SCRANAGE 3,243,133

ARTIFICIAL SNOW-MAKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1963 C /0 INVENTOR.

40 CAND/EUS 0e SCkA/VAGE United States Patent 3 243,183 ARTIFICIALsNow-MAKING MACHINE Candirus De Scranage, 219 W. 80th St., New York,N.Y. Filed Dec. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 328,827 9 Claims. (Cl. 272 s) Thepresent invention relates to an artifical snowmaking machine and itparticularly relates to a machine that can be used in connection withChristmas displays.

It is among the objects of the present invention to make an artificalsnow-making machine which will be simple in operation and light in whichand which may be readily used in and around the household and which willgive the appearance of the falling of snow.

Another object is to provide a small light-weight, readily mountablesnow production device which will permit generation of artifical snow inand around Christmas trees and in connection with interior decorations.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detaileddescription set forth below, it being undergiven by way of illustrationand explanation only and not by way of limitation, since various changestherein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present invention.

stood, however, that this more detailed description is- In accomplishingthe above objects according to one embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided a plastic light-weight cylinder having a series ofspaced openings in the side thereof extending around the entireperiphery thereof, through which, under slight pressures, slightlycurved disks of plastic paper or laminated material may be graduallydispensed, desirably in horizontal position, so as to flutter downwardlyslowly, preferably with a swirling or side-slipping motion.

This perforated cylinder should be capable of being filled at intervalsby means of a cover or suitable filler opening which may be covered whenthe device is in operation.

Desirably, the box contains a small electric motor at one side thereofwith a switch at the other side with a shaft extending through the boxand assuring a slow rotation of the cylinder in the box when the switchis actuated.

The shaft may be of irregular or square cross-section so as to causerotation of the container, or suitable connection may be made to theshaft and the ends of the box to achieve rotation of the dispensing orholed cylinder with the shaft.

Desirably, the box is of square or rectangular shape covered on its topand sides and open on its bottom, and the side of the box may beprovided with one or more openings to permit the entrance of airadjacent the top of the box, which will permit the air to flow down withthe small disks as they create a downward draft of air.

Desirably, these openings are provided at each side of the box and abovethe dispensing cylinder and the current of air created will assure adownward flow.

It has been found that two flashlight batteries are most satisfactoryfor giving the necessary current, and by means of a switch or rheostatit is possible to regulate the speed at which the cylinder will berotated.

Desirably, the rotation is such as to eliminate any centrifugal efl'ect,but at all times the cylinder should be kept between A and full so thatthere will be sufficient weight to cause the disks to fall through theopenings in the preferred arrangement of providing a cylinder of alight-weight thin sheet plastic, such as cellulose acetate or some otherthermoplastic sheet material. With the disk consisting of a resinimpregnated or laminated paper, there will be suflicient adherencebetween the snow Patented Mar. 29, 1966 flakes or disks so that theywill tumble within the cylinder and will be slowly released with aside-slipping motion most closely to simulate snow flakes.

Desirably, by using a round shape which is dished and which has adiameter of about A to /2 inch with a preferred dimension of of an inch,and using about a weight between 5 to 10 ounces of these artificial snowflake disks in a cylinder of 4 to 8 inches in diameter and 6 to 18inches long, with holes therein of about /8 of an inch spaced apart oncenters between A to 1 inch, a most satisfactory artificial snow flakeis achieved.

Although the dispensing container may also take the form of a rotatingbox of rectangular shape and size, it has been found that a cylinderwill give the most uniform dispensation of the snow.

The artifical snow flakes at all times should not only create a downwardair current but should resist gravity so that they will fall slowly andtend to slide or slip from side to said as they descend.

By causing them to have a bowed shape and a slightly larger diameterthan the holes in the cylinder, they will be slowly released from theholes at the bottom of the cylinder without substantial release from'thesides or other portions of the cylinder.

The rate of rotation is desirably so regulated that the dispensingcylinder, with its perforations or openings in the side thereof, willrotate about once every 10 to 20 seconds and thus give the desired rateof fall.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan 'be restored to which fall within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the snow dispensing device ofthe present invention in position upon the top of a Christmas tree.

FIG. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken upon the line 2-2of FIG. 3 showing the cylinder in side view with the air inlet openingsassociated therewith.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view taken from the open bottom of the box showingthe dispensing cylinder in position therein.

FIG. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken upon the line 44 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram showing the manner in which theelectrical connections may be made.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view of a typical snow disk.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the form of the snow flake of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the alternative form of snow flake.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, there is shown a Christmas tree A supportedsuitably in the ground or upon the floor, as indicated at B, andcarrying at the top thereof by suitable attachment or suspension meansan open bottom container C covered by an artificial cloud D.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the dispensing device consists of thecontainer or box C having a central cylin drical dispenser E with aremovable, friction fit telescoping cover F, a shaft G, a small, geareddown, lightweight motor H, and 2 replaceable flashlight batteries I.

These flashlight batteries may be connected to turn on the motor H bymeans of a switch or rheostat K which can also regulate the speed.Desirably, 2 or 3 flashlight batteries are employed.

3,24s,1 ea

These batteries are readily replaceable when used and will generateenough electrical energy to rotate the cylinder E for a period of 3 tohours.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the positioningof circular openings L in the side of the cylinder E which are justslightly smaller in size than the pliable round dished paper flakes Mhaving circular edges or N having serrated edges.

The box may be suspended by means of a strap P or other hanger from anextension Q from the top of the tree, as shown in FIG. 1, or it may beotherwise mounted in position.

The openings R at one side of the inverted box positioned above thecylinder E and in the direction in which the dispensing cylinder E turnswill permit a downward current of air to be generated, as indicated atS, which will assure a slow fall of the flakes, with a slipping motion.

The material B should be of a light-weight, transparent plastic sheetmaterial, of about .001 to .003 of an inch, and desirably at the maximumof about .005 to .01 of an inch, and it should be relatively flexibleand about /2 the thickness of the dished snow flake elements M and N,which may have a thickness of about .005 to .02 inch, with the edges ofthe round disks being turned or dished upwardly so as to have a slightresistance to movement out of the dispensing openings L in view of theirslightly larger diameter, with the result that the tumbling actionindicated by the arrow U in FIG. 4 and the weight of the mass of disks,as indicated by W in FIG. 4, will result in a slow release from thebottommost row of openings indicated at X in FIG. 4 as the cylinder Eslowly rotates once every to 20 seconds.

As a result, when the cylinder E is filled to between to A capacity, thedispensation of flakes will take place at such a slow regular rate as topermit operation without refilling for a period of 2 to 4 hours.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 to 4, the box has a top wall 10, thefront wall 11 carrying the artificial cloud plaque D, which will alsostiffen the same, and a rear Wall 12 which desirably is provided withthe air inlet openings R to permit generation of a slow downward currentof air S.

The short side walls 13 and 14 will be provided with interior stiffeningboards or plaques 15 and 17, which will both stiffen the structure ofthe box and also form a sufliciently rigid supporting connection for themotor H, the batteries J and the switch K- Referring to the shaft G, theshaft G will be connected to the motor H at one end 18 and this motormay be in turn mounted by the side ears 19 and the bolts 20 in threadedopenings in the central portion 21 of the end stiffening board 15 insideof the cover 13.

These side bolts 20 may be screwed directly into the heavy reenforcingboard 15 as indicated at 22. The other end 23 of the shaft G, which mayextend entirely through the dispensing cylinder E, will have a bearingat 24 and an opening in the central portion of the reenforcing board 17,or it may be permitted to project through the wall 14 and the board 17.

Both reenforcing boards 15 and 17 may be of heavy fiber board abouttwice the thickness of the end walls 13 and 14.

The batteries are desirably mounted in a plastic U- shaped frame havinga base 26 and top and bottom flanges 27 and 28.

These flanges are desirably resilient so that they will be forcedslightly apart by the two batteries and they may carry metal strips byrivets.

These flanges 27 and 28 may carry the copper strips and 36, held inposition by means of rivets such as indicated at 37 in FIG. 3, to whichwill be connected the ends 38 and 39 of the conductor or electricalwiring 40 and 41.

As shown, the strip 36 will contact the base or zinc casing of thebattery, whereas the tip or carbon 42 will contact the top strip 35.

These strips may be provided with suitable recesses or notches to firmlycontact the top and bottom of the two flashlight batteries I and theymay be readily removed by pressing down on the resilient portion 28 ofthe U-shaped support structure.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switch K has a knurled handle member 43and may be either an on and off switch or an actuating rheostat andwhich is held in position by means of the nut 44 on the inside of thefiber board support panel 17.

The wires 40 and 41, as shown in FIG. 5, may form part of the circuitryand the wire 40 extends directly to the motor H, while the wire 41 isconnected by a junction 45 to a wire 46 leading to the switch 43.

The other side of the switch is connected by the wire 47 and thejunction 48 to the wire 49, also leading to the motor H.

These wires are of such stiffness that they may be bent into positionagainst the wall 12 or the top 10 of the box C and not interfere withthe rotation or operation of the cylinder E.

The shaft G will pass through the cylinder and the cover F, with thecover F being slidable upon the shaft G so that the box may be turnedwith the container portion E down and permit filling of the dispensingcylinder E with the artificial snow flakes W, so that it will be between/4 to /3 filled initially.

Desirably, it is filled before the snow flakes fall to A level, asindicated by the dot and dash line 65. At the same time it should not befilled above the dot and dash line 66. (See FIG. 4.)

This will give the desired pressure and tumbling effect U upon the disksM and N and cause the rate of dispensation of the snow flakes that maybe desired.

The shaft G may be of square cross-section so as to turn the cylinder E,but preferably there is provided an adhesive or plastic disk 67 having asleeve 68 which is mounted on the rod G, either by adhesion or fusion,so as to assure that the cylinder E will turn with the shaft G.

It will be noted that there are successive rows of three holes, asindicated at 69, and two holes, as indicated at 70.

It will be noted that the direction of rotation 71 is toward the back ofthe box and toward the openings R, so that the flakes will be given aslight forward momentum, as indicated 'by the arrows X, and create adraft of air, as indicated by the arrows S, slightly downwardly andtoward the cloud facing D.

This will result in the flakes falling slightly forwardly toward thecloud, creating an air current which will be directed toward the side 11of the box C.

Although many variations may be made, with the particular arrangementshown a most effective artificial snowfall is achieved, while at thesame time the curved shape of the disks M will enable them readily to begathered up and the friction in the plastic material will cause them tohave a slight electro-static charge which Will cause them to separateand slightly repel each other as they are released and as they fall.This will separate the flakes as they fall and will prevent clumping oradherence.

At the same time they may be readiy gathered up after they have beendeposited and disposed of.

As many changes could be made in the above artificial snow-makingmachine, and many widely different embodiments of this invention couldbe made without departure from the scope of the claims, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of theinvention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what isclaimed is:

1. A method of dispensing artificial snow flakes which comprisestumbling dished, relatively stiff but flexible paper disks in a rotatingcylinder of a thin transparent plastic sheet having dispensing openingsin the sides thereof, just sufficient to permit passage of the diskstherethrough with slight friction.

2. A method of dispensing artificial snow flakes which comprisestumbling dished, relatively stiff but flexible paper disks in a rotatingcylinder of a thin transparent plastic sheet having dispensing openingsin the sides thereof, just sufiicient to permit passage of the diskstherethrough with slight friction, said disks being dished so that theywill tend to fall with their convex faces downwardly and said tumblingcausing generation of a static electric charge which will separate thedisks upon release.

3. A method of dispensing artificial snow flakes which comprisestumbling dished, relatively stitf but flexible paper disks in a rotatingcylinder of a thin transparent plastic sheet having dispensing openingsin the sides thereof, just suflicient to permit passage of the diskstherethrough with slight friction, said cylinder having a length ofabout 6 to 18 inches, a diameter of about 4 to 8 inches, and turning ata rate of once every 10 to seconds and having a series of rows of 2 and3 holes spaced between inch to 1 inch on centers and with the successiverows separated from each other by a space of /2 to 1 inch and with thedisks having a slightly larger diameter than the openings by about to 1/of an inch.

4. A method of dispensing artificial snow flakes which comprisestumbling dished, relatively stiff but flexible paper disks in a rotatingcylinder of a thin transparent plastic sheet having dispensing openingsin the sides thereof, just sufiicient to permit passage of the diskstherethrough with slight friction, maintaining said cylinder at leastbetween A to full of said disks, which are tumbled together in closecontact with the plastic wall.

5. An artificial snow dispensing apparatus comprising an invertedcontainer of rectangular shape, having top, side and end Walls, a motormounted on one end wall, a shaft extending between said end walls andconnected to the motor at one end and having a bearing in the end wallat the other shaft end, and a switch and electric source mounted on theopposite end wall and a holed cylinder intermediately mounted on saidshaft to turn with said shaft and including a removable telescopingcover and a plurality of flexible dished disks of artificial snow insaid cylinder having an outside diameter slightly larger than thediameter of the holes in said cylinder.

6. An artificial snow dispensing apparatus comprising an invertedcontainer of rectangular shape, having top, side and end walls, a motormounted on one end wall, a shaft extending between said end walls andconnected to the motor at one end and having a bearing in the end wallat the other shaft end, and a switch and electric source mounted on theopposite end wall and a holed cylinder intermediately mounted on saidshaft to turn with said shaft and including a removable telescopingcover and a plurality of flexible dished disks of artificial snow insaid cylinder having an outside diameter slightly larger than thediameter of the holes in said cylinder,

said cylinder being formed of a thin sheet flexible plastic materialthinner than said disks and generating a static charge when said disksare tumbled therein.

7. An artificial snow dispensing apparatus comprising an invertedcontainer of rectangular shape, having top, side and end walls, a motormounted on one end wall, a shaft extending between said end walls andconnected to the motor at one end and having a bearing in the end wallat the other shaft end, and a switch and electric source mounted on theopposite end wall and a holed cylinder intermediately mounted on saidshaft to turn with said shaft and including a removable telescopingcover and a plurality of flexible dished disks of artificial snow insaid cylinder having an outside diameter slightly larger than thediameter of the holes in said cylinder, said cylinder being mounted toturn with said shaft and said cover being slidaJble on said shaft andbeing frictionally held on the cylinder when covering the same.

8. An artificial snow dispensing apparatus comprising an invertedcontainer of rectangular shape, having top, side and end walls, a motormounted on one end wall, a shaft extending between said end walls andconnected to the motor at one endand having a bearing in the. end wallat the other shaft end, and a switch and electric source mounted on theopposite end wall and a holed cylinder intermediately mounted on saidshaft to turn with said shaft and including a removable telescopingcover and a plurality of flexible dished disks of artificial snow insaid cylinder having an outside diameter slightly larger than thediameter of the holes in :said cylinder, said end walls being stifienedwith internal fiber board elements so as to hold said container rigidand prevent vibration of the cylinder as it rotates.

9. An artificial snow dispensing apparatus comprising an invertedcontainer of rectangular shape, having top, side and end walls, a motormounted on one end wall, a shaft extending between said end walls andconnected to the motor at one end and having a bearing in the end wallat the other shaft end, and a switch and electric source mounted on theopposite end wall and a holed cylinder intermediately mounted on saidshaft to turn with said shaft and including a removable telescopingcover and a plurality of flexible dished disks of artificial snow insaid cylinder having an outside diameter slightly larger than thediameter of the holes in said cylinder, said electric source comprisingbatteries, said batteries being held by a U-shaped plastic clip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 635,043 10/1899Grismer 272-15 901,319 10/1908 Bruen 272-15 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,500 of1908 Great Britain.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

KENNETH N. LEIMER, Examiner.

1. A METHOD FOR DISPENSING ARTIFICIAL SNOW FLAKES WHICH COMPRISESTUMBLING DISHED, RELATIVELY STIFF BUT FLEXIBLE PAPER DISKS IN A ROTATINGCYLINDER OF A THIN TRANSPARENT PLASTIC SHEET HAVING DISPENSING OPENINGSIN THE SIDES THEREOF, JUST SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT PASSAGE OF THE DISKSTHERETHROUGH WITH SLIGHT FRICTION.